Flywheel housing alignment

[thunder550]

I have my engine torn down to a shortblock, reinstalled the flywheel housing and timing cover today, then flipped the engine over to clean up the oil pan sealing surface. The driver's side of the sealing surface where the block meets the rear cover is off by about .006 (put a feeler gauge on the block surface and that's what felt even with the sealing surface on the flywheel housing). All of the alignment dowels between the block and flywheel housing and block and timing cover were in place, and this is the only corner that feels off. Is something like this normal? Will the RTV gasket make up the difference, or do I need to try again? Is there any flexibility with the alignment pins in place?

 

[Yellow Jacket]

If both dowels are in place I don't think you'll get much adjustability to move it. GM gray silicone will fill .006" without a problem.

 

[thunder550]

Perfect, that's what I was hoping to hear. Took a pic this morning of what I was talking about, posting it for reference even though it sounds like I'll be ok.

 

[TheBac]

Had that same "step" when I rebuilt mine. Yellowjacket is right....no big deal. That GM grey is some nasty stuff for sealing.

 

[mike diesel]

Roughly the thickness of 2 pieces of paper. Any rtv will seal that up no problem.

 

[thunder550]

Great, thanks for the confirmation :woott:

 

[battlegraduate09]

agreed, that GM sealant is wicked. I have also used "the right stuff" before as well.